94 THE HORSE OWNEK's 



while the horse is standing still, is effected as follows. 

 The rider stands opposite the saddle and takes hold of 

 both the pommel and cantle, keeping the reins in the left 

 hand at the same time, and in the same manner as in an 

 ordinary mounting. Now spring strongly from the ground, 

 and by means of the spring, aided by the arms, raise the 

 body above the saddle; then twist the leg over, whilst 

 the right hand is shifted to the right side of the pommel, 

 and by means of both the hands the body is steadied into 

 the saddle. Mounting without stirrups may, by very ac- 

 tive men, be effected while the horse is going on, much in 

 the same way as is seen constantly in the circus. The 

 rider runs by the side of the horse, laying hold of the 

 pommel of the saddle with both hands strongly, and, al- 

 lowing him to drag him along for two or three very long 

 steps, he suddenly springs from the ground and is drawn 

 into the saddle. This feat is seldom achieved by the or- 

 dinary equestrian ; but it is easier than it looks, and is 

 sometimes of great service with a fidgety horse. Dis- 

 mounting without stirrups, requires the horse to be 

 brought to a stand-still, then, holding the reins in the left 

 hand both are placed upon the pommel, and by their aid 

 alone the body is raised out of the saddle ; the right leg 

 is now thrown over the cantle, and in doing so the right 

 hand seizes it, and with the left lowers the body to the 

 ground. Mounting and dismounting on the off side mere- 

 ly requires all the movements to be reversed, and, reading 

 left for right and right for left, all the directions pre- 

 viously given are applicable. It is very useful sometimes 

 to be able to effect this, as some horses with defective eyes 

 will more readily allow mounting on the off side than on 

 the left. 



